In Oakland, Alford will work under former Giants defensive line coach Mike Waufle, who was fired along with coordinator Bill Sheridan in the days after last season's second-half debacle. Waufle was a well-liked coach among the linemen but was viewed by some in the organization as being too player-friendly at times. Instead of coming down hard on his pass rushers for sub-par play last season, the Giants felt he often went soft on them.

Alford's arrival in Oakland comes just a few days after the team cut another former Giants defensive lineman: tackle William Joseph, a first-round pick in 2003.